With a new coach the Toppers look to improve from their 1-12 season last year

By Kelsie Hoitomt

GLENWOOD CITY — The Glenwood City baseball team will be headed by a new coach this season, Jake Score, who has been an assistant softball coach for several years with the Hilltoppers. He has stepped into the role as head coach due to the resignation of Paul Janson.

Also taking a leadership role with the team this season are returning letter winners and seniors Kyle Peterson and Mitchell Junker as well as junior Jeff Kopacz. The team loses three to graduation; Matt Hurtgen, Ryan Mahoney and Cameron Christner, but there are at least 13 players that return from last year that have varsity experience.

“Most of our players are coming back and the team has been working hard in the gym. I am excited because the numbers are up and there should be a lot of depth for the team this year,” said Score. With six seniors and eight juniors we have a lot of leadership and experience, which should help us. We also have a group of six freshmen that are very talented and will be pushing the upperclassmen for playing time.”

The Toppers finished 1-12 in the Dunn-St.Croix Conference last season with their one win against Plum City last April. They were 6-20 overall after ending their season to Pepin/Alma in the first round of Regionals.

Depending on field conditions, the Toppers are scheduled to play their first game of the 2013 season at home this Thursday, April 4 against Elmwood. Their next scheduled game is Monday, April 8 at home against Colfax with start times at 5:00 p.m.

Hilltoppers’ Roster

Seniors: Kyle Peterson, Mitchell Junker, Matt Tone, Adam Holmquist, Nick Peterson, Josh Doyle

Juniors: Jeff Kopacz, Jake Carlson, Damian Multhauf, Zack Wink, Ray Aarons, Brennan Kessler, Richard Croes, Donovan Fornal

Sophomore: Dan Piasecki

Freshmen: Hogan Chouinard, Jack Kremer, Mitch Hurtgen, Nick Schone, Joel Ormson, Noah Cline